Warning: Sappy post ahead!

This weekend will mark a year since Roman came into our lives.

If you had asked me a little while back, I would have told you I was a cat person. All the way. No doubt about it.  Dogs poop in the yard. Gross!  Cats use a litter box, you can leave them for days at a time, they are quiet, etc etc etc.  I had no understanding of why on earth someone would want a dog. 

Then I became allergic…to my own cat! Ya’ll, I loved this cat. And still do! He used to sleep under the covers at my feet. Now, I can’t even pet him for long or my eyes will swell shut, and I’ll go into a sneezing fit for 3 days.  I ended up giving him to my parents, and in good timing, because their longtime cat had just passed away. He filled a void for them, and it solved my sniffles. But I was sad and had no furry companion in my life. All my life, I’d had a cat or two.

Fast forward a few years, I briefly had a black lab, but he stayed with my ex when we split. That let me know that I might just be up for having a dog…

 I decided I wanted to get a dog once I was out of my apartments that didn’t allow pets.  I knew I wanted a larger breed of a dog. So when I moved into my house, Patrick helped me and scoured craigslist for people needing to rehome their pets. And one day, he told me (against my apprehension about it) that a girl with a Great Dane was going to meet me and him at my house after work.

I drove home that afternoon to find her, Patrick, and a very large, but quiet dog in my yard. I was actually a lil scared of him at first, esp not knowing his full background.  But little did I know…

Oh sweet Roman. I never knew I could love an animal so much. Over the past year, he has become part of our little family. He’s weaseled his way into our hearts and our bed (only if invited though :)  He’s a dog who needs love and who has much love to give.  He’s afraid of thunder, and doesn’t like barking dogs. He’s a dog that runs and hides from my parent’s cat because he’s afraid it will attack him. (and it will.)  He’s also protective and loyal.  He’s a sweet dude who is chill and lets us dress him up with no complaints. He’s a 100lb lap dog. (small for a dane.) He’s content being anywhere where we are. He’s a bread bandit if it’s left on the counter, and he’s a snuggler all of the time.

He’s a gentle giant. He’s my running buddy (he can run 3 miles!) He’s a loyal companion. He loves unconditionally. He’s always waiting for me when I get home from work, tail wagging feverishly and happily.   I’ve said it before. If everyone loved like our pets love, the world would be a much better place.

Now I’m a dog person. I still love cats, of course. But I’m a crazy dog lady.  I don’t mind scooping his poop, or giving him a bath, or constantly vacuuming hair, or any of those other things I used to despise.  Because he gives me so much more in return.

Happy One Year Anniversary, pup. Thank you for bringing us so much joy. You are oh-so-loved.